Did you know that half of all teens will be involved in a car accident before they graduate from high school? That number is startling, right? Sometimes these accidents are caused by teen distracted driving—like checking a text message or changing a song. Other times, they happen because the driver didn’t know a safety rule, like when to pass or change lanes.
As you prepare your teen driver to hit the road, share these 19 tips to help keep them safe and prevent distracted driving.
Tips to Stop Teen Distracted Driving
Of all age groups, teens are the most likely to be distracted at the time of a collision. Help them avoid distractions and stay focused with these tips:
- Have them turn off their mobile phone or put it out of reach. The National Safety Council reports that drivers are four times more likely to be involved in an accident if they’re using their phone. Have your teen turn their phone on silent while driving and store it in the glove compartment or back seat. If they need to make a call or text, advise them to pull over safely and respond while parked.
- Don’t text and drive. At 55 miles per hour, reading or sending a text takes your teen’s eyes off the road for the length of an entire football field.
- Set the GPS before starting the car. If your teen is traveling somewhere new, have them enter the address in the map app before they start driving. Also, suggest they turn on voice directions so they can keep their eyes on the road.
- Limit the number of passengers. The more passengers your teen has, the more distracted they’ll be. It’s best to keep the number of passengers low when they’re just starting to drive.
- Don’t eat or drink while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, eating and driving increases the odds of an accident by 80%.
- Keep the radio at a reasonable volume. The volume should always be low enough that the driver can hear emergency vehicles or nearby honking horns.
Follow the Rules of the Road
Teen drivers account for more car accidents than any other age group, and car accidents are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds. It’s important for your teen to follow these rules of the road to stay safe.
- Leave enough space between cars. Whether moving or stopped, your teen should always have a clear view of the ground behind the vehicle in front of them. This distance should increase in wet or icy conditions.
- Don’t switch lanes at an intersection. Changing lanes in the middle of an intersection may or may not be illegal in your state, but it’s always dangerous.
- Know when it’s okay to pass and when it’s not. New drivers shouldn’t be doing much passing, but they should know the signs of when it’s safe to overtake another vehicle.
- Don’t use cruise control in wet or slippery conditions. In rainy, snowy, or icy conditions, it’s dangerous to use cruise control. Wet roads can be slippery, and maintaining a steady speed can lead to hydroplaning.
How Teens Can Stay Safe While Driving
Small safety precautions can make a big difference for teen driving safety. Teach your teen these tricks for safe driving:
- Make sure the vehicle always has at least half a tank of gas. This ensures your teen can travel without any disruptions. It’s a good idea to always check the gas level before hitting the road.
- Stock up on emergency supplies. There are a few essentials your teen should always keep in the car, such as a first aid kit, flashlight, and jumper cables.
- Always know the road they’re on. If your teen needs to call for help, they’ll need to know their location. Make sure they know the name of the street or landmark.
- Adjust the headrest to the right height. Most drivers think the headrest should be behind the neck, but it should actually be positioned behind the head to reduce the risk of whiplash in an accident.
- Don’t get out of the car if it’s on the road. If your teen is involved in an accident, ensure they stay inside the car where it’s safest until help arrives.
- Keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up. This will help keep thieves out and your teen safe. They should also lock the doors immediately after entering the vehicle.
- Leave a phone charger in the car. In case of an emergency, having a charger will ensure your teen’s phone is charged enough to call for help.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. When parked, encourage your teen not to leave things like wallets, purses, smartphones, laptops, or sports equipment visible to prevent theft.
- Park under a streetlight. Parking in a well-lit area is always the safest option. When walking to the car, your teen should keep their keys ready.
